Fiat 500 classic review

Detailed look into what it's like to own and drive a classic Fiat 500L, dating from 1971.

[@clubmania1]

These little beauties are very capable of doing long distances. I own 3 of these old cars and I drove my first one from Rome to Salerno and then from London to Cavan in Ireland and back again. It never missed a single beat though it did take me ages.

[@gabrielsandoval4994]

Rebeccah Mania I think people enjoyed their road trips more back in the day, stop and have a pic-nic on the way. We want everything quick today. Cheers on your three cinquecento’s. If I may ask, what are they going for today?

[@ayva6ovay3gmail31]

Please sell me one 😭😭😭

[@NoGoodHandlesComingToMind]

Awesome, thanks for sharing. I want one of these so much.

[@alechall7082]

@@gabrielsandoval4994 If anybody is guilty of being slightly impatient in traffic like me (I'm from Boston), taking a road trip like this is a great way to help with that. Wandering around Maine with no real destination is something I like to do to remind me that I don't always need to drive like I'm in a hurry.

[@iantownsend5480]

Can't help but smile when I see a Classic 500

[@AdrianosClassicGarage]

You might wanna check my channel out then!

[@iantownsend500]

Adriano's Classic Garage Ok I will cheers

[@MasterMalrubius]

@@AdrianosClassicGarage Sneaky, sneaky. But it worked. Subscribed.

[@AdrianosClassicGarage]

@@MasterMalrubius :D

[@garyaanderson214]

We had a teacher at our high school that had one.On the last day od school we picked it up and brought it into the hallway.So light of an automobile

[@PeterSwinkels]

Gary A Anderson: 🤣 Guess he wasn't too happy people handling his car like that?

[@stacymitchell6453]

My mum had a 1971 500, it was the cheapest new car on sale in the uk and she drove it all over Europe, always aid it was the best car she ever owned.

[@JCT890]

Always a little party when Harry uploads :)

[@lukewheeler4888]

Your reviews are literally the best.

[@michaelreece458]

I couldn't agree more. He actually makes Jay Leno look like an amateur.

[@paolorao6663]

, BG

[@kilppa]

@@michaelreece458 Heh, seems I'm year late, but I just said the same.

[@shanehnorman]

A joyful little car, indeed. My mum had one in the mid-'60s - same colour as this one, but with painted dash and circular instrument panel. I was an irresponsible new driver at the time and took all kinds of liberties with it. Being 6' tall, I found that, by sitting on the seat-back, I could still reach the controls while my head stuck out of the sun-roof. It felt like driving a large egg and greatly increased the sense of speed. I thought that, as the Italians drove them everywhere flat-out, I could do the same with impunity. On one long down-hill stretch, I saw the speedo needle nudge the maximum indicated 80 mph. However, that thrilling moment was simultaneously marked by a loud bang from the rear. The head gasket had blown. Thereafter, I treated it with a bit more care. What Harry doesn't mention is the light and responsive steering, which encouraged one to take corners with gusto. Grip was pretty good (and my mum's car didn't have the benefit of the Pirelli Cinturato radial tyres on Harry's car). There wasn't much body roll, but woe betide if you lifted off mid-corner; the rear swing-axles jacked up immediately and flung you off the road!

[@j.chiari4222]

Thanks for the laughs of reading this

[@ChosenHandle117]

@@j.chiari4222 +1

[@joshbriggsDayZBeast]

I'm probably more excited when harry uploads a new video than any other KZbin, even more so than Jay Leno!

[@nrahim91]

This video was such as inspiration I went and bought a lovely cream 1969 500L. My S2000 now feels like a luxurious rocket after pottering around in it!

[@arienrichardson6974]

Oh dear...what memories!!!! My very first car was a baby blue Fiat 500....I paid the princely sum of ZAR 125...In UK about 78 pounds. I bought it secondhand in Pretoria...zoomed around the city to work and carted my mom and groceries on a Saturday...I love, love this little car...mm...maybe one day....

[@lorenzor2555]

I am italian, my first car was a white Fiat 500 L from the early 70s, exactly identical to that one (it was originally owned by my mother). Yours is beautiful. But the black/white tyres are completely wrong on it: they were already all black at that time, instead. Black and white tyres were used only until the early 60s. I remember that in the 70s no car around had black and white tyres on

[@TT_1221]

My first car was also originally owned by my mum :) haha.

[@TailcoatGames]

He’s prob like me and just likes whitewall wheels

[@Bikeaddict4235]

We have a 1976 version, bought for my wife to tootle around in summer, it’s a great little car and I secretly love driving it .

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

I was half expecting a V12 when you opened the hood.

[@djwnakata9406]

Haha, brilliant Harry, great to see you fully exploiting 18bhp. A good friend of mine had one of these in the early 90's when we were 17, it was a weird pale faded yellow colour and it used to be flat out everywhere. We called it 'The Atomic Peanut' at the time, great memories :)

[@magicaldream]

This is one the best videos from Harry. Utter delight to watch his enthusiasm!

[@video951]

Brought my 67 500F home from Bari Italy after 4 years recently with the U.S. Navy. We do love her! Your review is spot on.

[@jamesb6843]

What a beautiful car and a wonderfully passionate and thorough review. Thank you Harry

[@massimovacca7785]

Harry your videos are the of the best on the internet, no other car channel can compete with your garage!

[@andrewmoorhouse687]

Good to have you back and a fabulous enthusiastic review as always. Interesting to have a good nosey round cars that have pretty much disappeared from our streets these days. It's also great to see someone who clearly has such a love of cars and their engineering.

[@HassTahir]

HARRY IS FINALLY BACK!!! Ive been waiting months for it!

[@zetohd5625]

Thank you so much for this cool review. I own a series of vintage Italian cars, some rather fast ones. But I have recently commissioned a rebuild of a 595 Abarth; 32 HP, and what a cool ride! And all the people at roadside smile and wave.

[@ianhjan]

I loved these little cars, I worked in a British Leyland dealer in Mossley Hill, but we did MOTs too so got to have a go in all kinds of stuff. I loved driving them and working on them too. My uncle had, what would have been a really rare the van version, thinking about it it could of been made or perhaps marketed by Autobianchi. It was like a pear, one minute it was perfect, and the next it literally fell into dust. This review brought back lots of good memories for me. Thanks Harry.

[@atom999]

Such a great vid Harry! Reminds me of the old days when my mum used to own a Fiat 126p. Was so simple and a joy to drive. Good memories.

[@francescoparillo8664]

I just purchased a 1970 500L. Thank you for the thoughtful review. I'm so looking forward to picking mine up from the restoration shop.

[@bramvankempen1293]

Great video Harry! Love your cars and love your style of reviewing them

[@Wakeup129]

Love this guy doing reviews, he really shows all the buttons and stuff

[@davidmatthews3093]

I never had a Fiat but I did do a lot of miles in a 126 which shared a lot of the charm. I even took it to Europe once. A great little car.

[@szokuspokus]

Yay! Harry's upload. Gotta drive my MB W140 200 km today and then in the evening I'll have a pleasure to watch the vid. Thanks Harry!

[@errcoche]

In about 1971 my Dad's car ( Austin 1300 or Triumph 1500 ) was being fixed and his work colleague loaned our family of six a Fiat 500. We were aged 9 to 4 and probably a litter of wee runts to boot so we fitted quite comfortably in the back. We took a modest road trip in it and it was memorable fun. The sun roof makes it a lot more palatable but I believe it started to rain late in the day. Incredible what we think we need in a car these days compared to what will actually do the job.

[@nicogi]

Your videos are such a joy to watch! No one speaks about cars with as much passion as you do, except maybe Jay Leno, who has acknowledged your work in his own Espada video :) Cheers from Québec, Canada!

[@pwatom22]

excellent video, as always. picks off the important technical features that other reviews miss.

[@Yanagi88]

As an Italian i salways a joy to see one of these 500 on the road, such a joyful little car!

[@Steeve9292]

Gah, it's torture. Harry has us all in the palm of his hand. Some of the best vehicle vids on the tube and months between an upload. Always sweet relief to finally get that Metcalfe fix!

[@PAVANZYL]

The Espada is one of the most beautiful cars ever made. And the 500, one of the cutest.

[@paulbmi2976]

Just like something else so much anticipation and always over too soon. Thanks for the great vids Harry

[@richardsmith8015]

Thanks for another great video. Its always food to see the grin in your face as you enjoy driving your cars whether a Ferrari or a baby Fiat 500. Always entertaining and informative.

[@SkipperMac]

Totally fantastic - both the car and Harry's video. More sir please.

[@CrossWindsPat]

Harry!!! I miss your videos man! Much love from across the pond!

[@dangiraudon7469]

Love these videos. My fav video so far was the FF real life test with the drive to the alps

[@rivolinho]

Thanks Harry. Your reviews are the best

[@SkysaxonDragonslayer]

That’s where Fiat is better than any other brand when it comes to very small cars! I owned a Fiat Seicento 900cc for 17 years as a daily driver - many other cars came into my garage and left again, but this little Fiat was something that had the aura that it is worth to keep. Sadly my girlfriend sold it for scrap while I was on long distance truckdriving why we had to move and lost our garage... So I now have only my memories and my Vespa PX to give me the Italian moments in life...

[@blacksquirrel4008]

Joyous, indeed. They never fail to bring a smile when I see one. We rented a Fiat 850 when we visited England in ‘78 and our “little Italian roller skate” took us all the way to the Highlands of Scotland. Good times.

[@VincentSandfordofSEOsynovation]

Brilliant original Fiat 500. Just shows how the city environment in Italy has created such realistic cars to drive in historical centres . Great video.

[@coachalexwagner]

Just bought one of the back of this review : a fully restored (and tastefully restomodded) 1964 500 D trasformabile !

[@davidfrazerwray7525]

Great review. I had two of these, the first built in 1961. I bought it in 1973. It came with a spare engine, which proved to be very useful. A postscript to your comments on the heater: it was fairly bearable in the winter as long as the engine was clean. Any spilt oil - or more typically a leak - and you had to open the window, which rather defeated the object somehow.

[@armand2013]

Harry, you have the best serious car reviews on youtube.

[@lrodger2486]

Omg I've been having withdrawal symptoms from your channel .. Thanks for the new video !!

[@HexaSquirrel]

It's a good day when Harry uploads a new video! Hope you're mother is recovering well, Harry. - Christian

[@LelouchVelvet]

Charming little car... Lovely!

[@duncanhine898]

Great review Harry! Watched this before buying my own 500L earlier this year. Heat leaking into the cockpit is not a big issue - I've not been too warm yet and having the sunroof open more than compensates. :)

[@jjkroll32]

such a joyful automobile. Thank you for these videos.

[@ginofornaro9197]

I love the 500, my current car which was my first car is the new 500 and I love it. One day I hope to have mine with a matching original 500D. Great to see another video from Harry

[@markg1531]

It just shows you how truly over the top many of today’s cars are. It doesn’t take much to have fun in life.

[@steves4639]

the WOT, the rocking back and forth to get it to go faster, the shaky camera inside and also in the chase car...this was *exactly* like Steve McQueen in Bullitt. well, minus the San Francisco part, and minus the huge American V8 Mustang/Charger part. Fun stuff! Great vid.My dad had a '59 500, but the entire roof folded back...soft rear window. this was during the late 60's early 70's, when US cars were ginormous. He took it on the freeway. I was too young to realize the danger, but I don't know how he had the nerve. I do remember as an 8 year old sitting in it, in the garage, shifting through all the gears and pretending I was on the freeway. I was born able to shift a manual, BTW.thx for a truly well-spent 16:20.

[@andrewgurney6019]

Thank you and welcome back.That's one very beautiful car

[@MrChilidogdk]

My parents had a Fiat 500. When we sometimes picked up my uncle we had to open the canvas top because he was to tall for the car 😄 He didn’t like to be picked up in the winther 😂

[@klasseact6663]

One of the best channels on KZbin! British people just make things better when reviewing cars!!

[@64Alvis]

Your videos always make me want the car! I had a 425cc 2CV when it was all I could afford, yet it remains one of the most enjoyable cars I have owned. Like the 500, you max it all the time and try your utmost to avoid braking. You learn to keep an eye open for hills and they add a dimension to driving that doesn't exist for modern cars.

[@alastairchestnutt6416]

Reminds me of childhood visits to my uncle who had a blue 500 with suicide doors. I remember a day trip with 4 adults and 2 children in the car. Had to get out and walk up the hills. The sound brings it all back.

[@HeThoughtHeWASaBus]

Favorite car channel on youtube

[@FezzaYT]

Great video Harry...as always! This is the best car related channel on YT by bar....keep them coming.

[@thommadferson6449]

We missed you Harry. The best presentor on utube.

[@MikeG-fo1lb]

Missed you Harry and your brilliant video reviews..... I've been having to watch Shmee 150 !! Do some more mate

[@scofair1968]

Always puts a massive smile on my face when i spot a Harry upload

[@BestyX]

I really enjoyed watching that. What a delight of simplicity in the engineering by Fiat

[@brightondude9327]

In the early 70s I was in Italy for the first time and the Cinquecento cars were absolutely everywhere. I learnt to drive in a Citroën 2CV (the one with the bigger 602cc engine) and watching Harry drive that Cinquecento reminds me of driving that 2CV. It would go at about 65 mph, and I would just sit with my foot flat on the throttle, the car would happily drive like that all day if need be.

[@fraoho]

Another great review, Harry! Lovely little car.

[@Bugumir]

Hilarious. At 40mph you looked like you were flying. I'd love one of these things. Oh and great video, as always.

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Harry, that was a GREAT video. Thank you.

[@Romartus]

I bought one of these when a student at university. Cost me £150.00. Used it to travel from London to Coventry in the early 1980s. The previous owner called it Sally Anne. Perfect name.

[@martinberry1040]

Harry's back! I used to drive a Fiat 500, well it was my dad's but I rebuilt the engine and did all sorts of maintenance tasks so it became mine. A very early one, 64 I think, with suicide doors. Got married in it. Super little car.

[@alfaubrom]

One of life's Joys these films. The nuova, with a sunroof,under the headlineing where bolts which enabled the roof section to come out,as well as the panel that held the rear screen effectively makeing it a full length rag top,I guess on the production run,it facilitated several variations of the one body type, genius desighn. Lovely steering too.

[@BriMarshie]

Good to see you back Harry. This video reminds me a bit of Chris Harris's in his 2CV. As you say, there is great pleasure in a car where you can mash the throttle all day long!

[@alfexsinosystems9205]

welcome back harry

[@thefridgeman]

14:53 THAT! A lot of people do not understand or realize that. And lately, also the manufacturers. You do not need 400 hp or 10 speed double clutch gearboxes. You need something that needs to be wrung and to be able to rev 1-2-3 gears and not get arrested. Sure a Boxster S has more power, but try a "normal" one, with the 2.7 or 2.9 engine and manual gearbox. I always said: if you are lazy and want instant gratification...go get a diesel. If you really like cars, get a small revvy NA Otto engine with a slick manual gearbox. And light, if possible. You will not get enough of driving it. What's that fuzz on your face, Mr Metcalfe? Finally giving up and joining the trend? Also, you need a new camera minion or a wider lens. Found myself more than once trying to lean "into" the video, like it was a window...ie when you showed the boot, did anyone see the battery? ;) 9:54 Smart move. Pushing back the choke. Otherwise it burn fuel like the Espada. And fouls up the spark plugs.

[@georgitrenkov8623]

Couldn't agree more with this "not get arrested" statement, although it's not very fitting with the C63 Black on your profile pic.

[@thefridgeman]

Georgi Trenkov That's why I sold mine years ago. Now I got something with less power and a manual transmission. The one in the C63 sucked.

[@01322521959]

Agreed. I had a lot of fun in my Fiat Uno 60s round the lanes of Kent in the 80's. 58bhp 1100 used to rev beautifully. Just left it in 3rd good for 70mph and a bit and tore down the lanes from Sevenoaks to Tonbridge, nice controlable understeer from the 155/55 Michelins. Lovely!!

[@snoopypingas5426]

thefridgeman Lada driver here, can confirm! It's a strange blast driving an old flimsy thing with barely any power. Staying up to traffic becomes an exciting sensation!

[@neodonkey]

Favourite car I've owned was an Citroen AX GT - 1360cc, light, and 0.29cd drag factor I seem to remember. I loved the NA 1.6 MX5 for same reason, because all the people who say they are slow are missing the point, the fun is in wringing their necks which they absolutely enjoy.

[@bellagio3456]

Excellent video Harry. Thanks very much.

[@jamie101010]

Thanks Harry for another great review!

[@briansalmon1666]

I loved your video...it was exceptionally interesting. Thank you sir. I am a huge Fiat 500 fan.

[@loulouclark]

Awesome Harry! I'm hunting for an Autobianchi/Fiat 500 Giardiniera, so I really loved your review. Planning on a long term trip around Italy in it so probably going to go the 126 engine though in a makeover... Thanks!!

[@kilppa]

This reminds me of my '72 Alfasud. Still one of the funnest cars I've driven. Started in -20 celcius like a champ and made a wonderful noise.

[@13xiane]

Severely undersubscribed channel. Thank you for the awesome video sir.

[@kevingregson3805]

You can see in your face how joyously happy this little beasty makes you!

[@transporter49]

Brought a smile to my face - great video of a great little car.

[@sirfellix3133]

Please do another video with this car, maybe a parking challenge or an explanation how the gear shifting works? Love your videos, keep up the good work!

[@SimonBelgium]

They are so cool ! And great flashback seeing your Grande Giro 50th Anniversario polo ! (We met briefly there)

[@NorthTimes]

Absolutely brilliant Harry - a true engineering masterpiece (the 500 that is!)

[@MrUnbelievableAbs]

Amazing video, as always!

[@nuovopianetaterra5484]

Nice presentation for a such lovely car,thanks.

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

This was such fun. The only car I ever owned was a cream and green autobianchi bianchina back in the late '60s. Basically a Fiat 500 with a little nicer body. What I remember about it was the first gear was perfect for driving in the mountains on trails and dirt roads. Also, mine had mirrors on both sides up near the head lights that I see (looking at Google Image) was unusual. But such a great idea.

[@jackgt140]

Love your videos please keep them coming

[@geraldbeddows9017]

Had a blue one many years ago took two adults and two children from Midlands to Dawlish Warren, lovely memories. Easiest clutch I have ever changed, had a lever on the floor that acted as a cruise control. 👍

[@svenlima]

e used the Fiat 500 to go to the beach: Parents, 2 kids plus 1 grandmother plus umbrella, a cooling box with food and water and a bag with towels, toys etc. I don't know how we fit all that in that small car. :-) The distance was 40 km but the elevation/ climb was 1000 meters. The Fiat 500 is a little work horse. My father still has a Fiat 128 from 1971 which he drives every now and them.

[@SCDC-Channel]

great review Harry, love the Fiat 500, I have old Mini but would also like to own the Fiat 500

[@Frocobo]

My grandad had an L reg one in maroon (< At least the rust didn't show up too bad). I remember going to Chester zoo in it with him, my nan, mother and brother all fitting in.

[@doccops]

I think you smiled more driving this car than any other I have watched so far! Interesting that, I do the same while riding my oldest slowest motorbike - it's fun having to work an engine and push the lower limits of handling and suspension.

[@MrAndyS]

When I got the notification I was so excited, I could have watched it straight away but I thought I'd save the joy until I was in a comfy chair

[@jasoncampbell7765]

Something about all of these Fiat 500's from the CLASSIC to the CURRENT that just puts a smile on my face! Holy Jumpin!

[@stephenoverstreet9898]

Harry! We've missed you and your content! Where have you been? I was beginning to wonder if you retired. Glad to see you back!

[@boipayasoontario6957]

any video with this car looks fabulous. nice car thanks for this video..

[@weedaviec]

I'm a massive fan of small cars. Had a mini 1000, 1275 & a 1000 minivan. Panda 750 and 1000 (1000 is a Fiesta 1100 killer- I beat one at an indicate 98 mph on the M8). A good few other small cars but those are the main culprits. I would love one of these 500s. Great video Harry.